Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding

Brief description

This is inflammation of the lining of the nose caused by allergy. It is also known as hay fever. It may occur in conjunction with sinusitis, which is covered by a separate SOP.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds. No specific investigation or imaging is required.

The relevant medical specialist is an ENT surgeon or an immunologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP

Hay fever

Conditions excluded from SOP

Irritant rhinitis#

Non-allergic rhinitis#

sinusitis*

vasomotor rhinitis#

* Another SOP applies

# Non-SOP condition

Clinical onset

Common symptoms are sneezing, a running and/or blocked nose, and nasal itching. Postnasal drip and cough may also be present.

The condition may be seasonal/intermittent or perennial/persistent. If the condition is episodic (e.g. seasonal) then each new episode does not represent a new clinical onset, but rather a recurrence of the condition. Clinical onset will be when the condition first presented.

Clinical worsening

Clinical worsening may be evidenced by a persistent increase in the severity, duration or frequency of symptoms.

About CLIK

The Consolidated Library of Information and Knowledge (CLIK) contains all the legislative, policy and reference material used by DVA staff in providing service to the clients of the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Rehabilitation

Disclaimer

Information provided on this website is for general information and on the understanding that the Australian Government is not providing professional advice on a particular matter.

While we make every effort to ensure that the information on this site is accurate and up to date we accept no responsibility whether expressed or implied for the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information.

Before relying on the material you should independently check its relevance for your purposes, and obtain any appropriate professional advice.

For reasons of succinctness and presentation, the information provided on this website may be in the form of summaries and generalisations, and may omit detail that could be significant in a particular context, or to particular persons.

Important legislative change

Please be aware that Parliament has recently passed a new Act that will replace the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA) for current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with conditions linked to service prior to 1 July 2004.

The new Act, titled the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA), will have the same eligibility requirements and provide the same benefits for current and former members of the ADF with compensation coverage under the SRCA. The DRCA will also apply to new claims the Department receives from current and former ADF members with injuries, diseases, deaths, losses or damages resulting from ADF employment prior to 1 July 2004.

The DRCA commenced operation on 12 October 2017.

As a result of this change, the Department is updating its published information, including hardcopy and website content, including CLIK. While this process is well underway, it will take some time before all changes are complete. In the meantime, references within CLIK to the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 or SRCA should now generally be understood to be references to the new DRCA Act (with the exception of intended historical references to SRCA). It is important to note that the same provision references (i.e., sections, subsections and paragraphs) from the SRCA have been retained in the DRCA.

Again, while the Department makes every effort to ensure that the information on this site is accurate and up to date and all necessary changes will be made as soon as practicable, the above disclaimer notice is of particular importance to those members whose circumstances may be affected by this legislative change. We appreciate your patience during this change process.